Aerosol valve construction



April 20, 1965 W. STEIMAN AEROSOL VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 1. 1962 1 1' V4 18 5 g 28 "L INVENTOR. W01? Ste/Linen United States Patent Ofilice V arrears Patented Apr. 20, 1965 3,179,310 AERQdEEL VALVE CONS'I'RUQTEGN Welt fitciman, Fairfield, Conn, assignor to Valve Corporation at America, Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of Delaware Filed dune 1, 1962, er. No. 199,414 Claims. (Cl. 222394) This invention relates to small hand-held aerosol devices, and more particularly to the valve constructions thereof, wherein the valves commonly comprise axially displaceable valve stems.

Small valves of the metering type usually function in such a manner that actuation of the operating button or valve stem results in a single small measured amount or spray of the aerosol substance being automatically ejected (as in the form of a putt) for each single actuation, this result being distinguished from the continuous spray or stream produced by a non-metering valve.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved aerosol valve construction of the kind indicated, wherein either a metering discharge or else a nonmetering discharge may be had, depending only on the particular position in which the device is held. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a metering discharge occurs when the device is held in the upright position, Whereas a non-metering or continuousdischarge is had when the device is inverted or held upside down.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved aerosol valve construction which is especially adapted in the simplest possible manner for pressure filling of the container through the valve enclosure or hous- A further object of the invention is to provide an improved aerosol valve construction in accordance with the foregoing, wherein the pressure-fill feature does not in the least impair the normally tight seal provided by the valve.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved aerosol valve construction as characterized,

which is readily adapted to existing aerosol devices and L which may be produced by only slight changes in existing valves.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel aerosol valve construction of the kind outlined, which is functionally reliable, involves relatively few parts or components, and is economical to fabricate and produce.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like parts or components throughout the several views, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a selective metering or non-metering valve construction for an aerosol device, as provided by the invention. The valve construction is shown in the upright or metering position, with the valve closed.

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the valve construction of FIG. 1, shown in the inverted or non-metering position, the valve stem being open or in depressed condition to eitect a continuous discharge of the contents of the aerosol container.

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of a metering aerosol valve construction comprising another embodiment of the invention.

PEG. 4 is an axial sectional view of a metering-type aerosol valve construction constituting still another embodiment of the invention. 7

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the valveconstruction illustrated therein is shown as mounted on a pressurized aerosol container ill, said container having a usual type neck and lip portion 12 to which the valve structure is secured.

Such securement is effected by a metal mounting cup 14 having a depending peripheral flange or skirt 16 which latter is crimped at 18 against the underside of the container lip portion 12.

The mounting cup 14 has a top clamping portion or wall 26 which engages a flat peripheral mounting flange 22 of a molded plastic valve housing indicated generally by the numeral 24. interposed between the mounting flange 22 of the valve housing and the lip portion 12 of the container is a sealing gasket 26 of circular, washer-like shape, said gasket providing a tight seal between the container mouth and the valve housing 24.

The valve housing 24 has a tubular'body portion 28 disposed mostly within the container neck 12 and having secured to its lower end a dip tube 30.

The housing 24 also has an upward extension in the form of a hollow boss-like central portion 32 which occupies a raised, cup-shaped portion 34 of the mounting cup 14, as shown. Clamped between the portion 32 of the valve housing and the uppermost top wall 36 of the mounting cup is a resilient valve seat or diaphragm member 38, said member and the wall 36 having registered openings through which the valve stem 4% projects.

The upper portion of the valve stem 40 has a central bore 32 communicating with a lateral opening 44, the latter being disposed above a valve enlargement 4s provided on the stem for cooperation with the diaphragm 38 to effect a secure closure of the valve when no discharge is desired.

Engaged with the valve enlargement 46 is a helical compression valve-return spring 50 which also engages a ring 52 in the bore of the body portion 28, said ring in turn engaging a resilient valve ring or seat 54 disposed against an internal shoulder 5a in the body portion.

The lowermost portion of the valve stem 40 has a fiat 58 at one side to provide a passage for the aerosol substance from the dip tube 39 up into the metering chamber 66 in the valve housing 24 when the valve stem 40 is in its raised or non-discharging position shown in FIG. 1.

When the valve stem 40 is in the depressed or discharging position, the full-cylindrical (lower) portion of the stem will completely fill the bore of the valve seat 54, shutting 01f any flow through the dip tube 30. At the same time, the side opening 44 of the valve stem will be disposed within the metering chamber 6% of the valve housing, whereupon discharge of the contents of the said metering chamber through the opening 4- and central opening 4-2 of the valve stem will occur. This is the usual metering action by which a measured amount of the aerosol substance is discharged from the container for each actuation or depressing movement of the valve stem 49.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel or ganization is provided in the valve construction of FIGS. 1 and 2 whereby pressure-filling of the container through the vaive housing may be readily effected. Also, the said organization enables the valve structure to function either as a metering valve or else as a non-metering valve, depending on the position in which the aerosol device is held. If the device is in the upright position corresponding to the showing of PEG. 1 a metering valve action will be had, whereas if the device is in the inverted position corresponding to FIG. 2 a non-metering or continuous spray action will occur.

In accomplishing this, the invention provides an extremely simple means in the form of a side opening 64 provided in the side wall of the body portion 24, either substantially or else fully within the confines of the sealing gasket 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side opening 64 is only partially closed by the sealing gasket 26. By such arrangement only a very small, frac tional part of the entire opening cross section is exposed belowfthe sealing gasket. The provision of the side.

opening 64 does not in any way adversely affect the primary seal of the container, involving the valve shoulder 46 and the diaphragm member 38, as will be readily understood. Also, due to the small fractional part of the passage represented by the side opening 64 being ex posed below the sealing gasket 26, the metering action of the valve will not be appreciably altered. There will still occur the sudden, pronounced puff or discharge of the aerosol substance in spray form when the stem is depressed, and such puff will cease upon pressure relief occurring in the metering chamber 66*. Although a slight amount of leakage will occur through the side opening 64 after the metered discharge has taken place, such leakage will be mostly in the form of gas and will not be manifested as a spray discharge from the aerosol device.

Of course, if the valve stem 4t should be maintained in the depressed position for an appreciable length of time, the pressurized gas in the container ltl may ultimately all leak through theside opening 64 in the valve housing, rendering the aerosol device useless. However, in the normal usage of the device involving both metering and non-metering discharges, such occurrence is unlikely.

Considering now the inverted position of the valve device and container as illustrated in FIG. 2, the liquid contents of the container will collect in the neck portion 12 thereof, and when the valve stem 40 is depressed (or raised as viewed in FIG. 2) a continuous discharge will occur, comprising the aerosol substance not only in the metering chamber 60 but also in the neck portion 12 of the container. Upon the liquid in the metering chamber 60 becoming exhausted, it will be slowly replenished through the side opening 64 for discharge with pressurized gas brought into the measuring chamber through the dip tube 30. For both the metering and the nonmetering valve actions described above the aerosol container may be periodically or continuously shaken, which action will minimize the loss of gas without accompanying aerosol substance.

The provision of the side opening 64 facilitates the pressure-filling of the aerosol container 16 through the valve housing, in the following manner: In such pressure-filling, the valve stem 4% is actuated and held in the depressed or operative position as shown in FIG. 2. The aerosol substance is applied under pressure at the raised top surface or wall 36 of the mounting cup 14, as by any suit able nipple or fitting. Such pressurized substance will pass not only through the central bore 42 of the valve stem but also around the outside of the valve stem, where I clearance is provided between the latter and the wall 36.

The pressurized substance will laterally displace the resilient diaphragm 38, entering the metering chamber at an appreciable rate of flow. Such substance may now pass through the side opening 64-, displacing the resilient gasket 26 and entering the interior of the container 10. Upon the latter becoming filled to the required extent, the removal of the filling apparatus and release of the valve stem 4!) to the valve closing position will result in a retention of the filled material in the container.

It will be understood that the extent of exposure of the side opening 64 may be such as to provide the desired valving and discharge action for the particular substance used, and conditions of use. It will be observed that the flat annular sealing gasket 26 has its greatest thickness or dimension by measuring radially outward from the inner peripheral edge thereof, and that a major portion of the gasket comprising the outer peripheral edge is clamped between the said mounting flange 22 of the valve housing and the rim 12 of the bottle. This construction effects a stiffening and backing of the inner peripheral edge portions of the gasket, thereby to render the check valve means more resistant to opening and insuring a more precise positioning of said inner peripheral at edge portions, by which a more reliable metering discharge action is had.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein there is shown a metering type valve characterized by a plurality of side openings in the body portion of the valve housing. In this figure the valve stem 46a is shown in the the depressed, discharging or filling position, which is required for the pressure-filling operation. Also, in FIG. 3 the side holes are arranged to be normally completely covered by the sealing gasket of the structure. The valve in FIG. 3 provides the advantage of pressure-fill in a metering organization with but little alteration of the existing valve structure.

The valve housing 24a is in general similar to the housing 24 already described, with the exception that more than one pressure-fill opening 64a is provided in the body portion, these openings being so located that they are completely covered by the sealing gasket 26a.

The valve stem 40a at its lower portion 49b has a flat 58a similar to the flat 58 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the valve housing 24a has a mounting flange 22a adapted to be clamped by the mounting cup 14a (together with the sealing gasket 26a) against the mouth and lip portion of the aerosol container.

An upwardly projecting hollow central portion 32a of the valve housing supports the resilient diaphragm 38a, such diaphragm being illustrated as in a downward, laterally displaced position under the action of the pressurized aerosol substance being forced through the valve construction and the action of the frictional engagement with the valve stem 40a which has been shifted to the depressed position.

The pressurized substance, upon entering the metering chamber tia, will pass out though the side openings 64a by displacing the resilient sealing gasket 26a, as with the construction of FIGS. 1 and 2. Upon removal of the pressure-fill equipment, the valve stem 40a will be returned to the closing or non-discharge position wherein the valve shoulder 46a engages the diaphragm 33a to retain the pressurized fill in the aerosol device.

By virtue of the side openings 64a being completely covered by the inner peripheral surface of the resilient sealing gasket 26a virtually no leakage will occur during the metering discharge of the valve structure. What little leakage actually might exist will be insufficient to impair the metering or discharge action.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, disclosing a somewhat different valve housing construction. In this figure, the valve housing 240 is of generally tubular configuration, being provided with a shouldered top mounting portion 22c and with pressurefill side openings 640. The valve stem 40c has a shoulder 4'50 engageable with a resilient diaphragm 38c, the latter being secured in place by the mounting cup 140. The lower portion of the valve stem 400 has a fiat 580 which is cooperable with an internal annular ledge 540 formed as an integral part of the valve housing 240, to provide a metering action.

Within the mounting cup there is a sealing gasket 25c, disposed somewhat below the filling openings 640, as shown. Thus, the pressure-fill openings 64c are normally effectively held out of communication with the interior of the aerosol container.

During the pressure-fill operation, the valve stem 49c is depressed in the manner already mentioned above, and as aerosol substance is applied under pressure to the top end of the mounting cup 14c, said substance will pass not only through the central bore 42c of the valve stem but also around the exterior of the stem, into the metering chamber 60c. The pressurized substance will pass outward through the pressure-fill openings 64c and displace laterally downward the resilient sealing gasket 26c whereupon it will fill the interior of the container.

The metering discharge action of the valve construction of FIG. 4 is similar to that already described above in gas.

connection with FIGS. 1-3, being well known to those skilled in the art. It will be noted that the presence of the pressure-fill openings Me which are normally completely closed or shut 01f from the interior of the pressurized container will have little if any elfect on the metering discharge action. Of course, the main valve means comprising the valve shoulder 46c and the diaphragm 38c will at all times effect a secure seal, regardless of the presence or absence of the pressure fill openings 640.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a novel and improved metering valve construction for small hand-held aerosol devices, which greatly facilitate the pressure-filling of such devices through the valve housing.

The valve construction is extremely simple, and may be constituted of existing valve structures merely by the provision of the side openings in the body portion of the valve housing. Thus, no appreciable changes are required in existing aerosol containers or valve structures. The present valve construction involves relatively few components, and may be economically fabricated and produced while providing for a greatly improved and accelerated, pressure-filling of the aerosol containers.

Variations and modification may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An aerosol valve construction comprising, in combination:

(a) a valve housing having a tubular body portion,

(b) a valve stem reciprocable in the valve body portion,

() a mounting cup surrounding the body portion of the valve housing and adapted to secure the same to the rim of a container,

(d) a resilient sealing gasket disposed around and engaged with the said tubular body portion and located in a position for engagement with the container rim to seal against the latter,

(2) valve means connected with the valve stem and valve housing and located adjacent the outer end of the latter, for controlling the passage of liquid through the housing,

(f) said tubular body having an opening through its side wall, which is only partially closed by the resilient sealing gasket whereby said opening and gasket constitute a non-tight check valve means to enable pressure-filling of the container through the valve housing to be readily efiected,

(g) an additional valve means at the lower end of the valve housing and connected with the valve stem and housing, said additional valve means constituting a metering valve to close the housing from the container interior when the stem is depressed.

2. A valve construction as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the valve housing includes a mounting flange extending outward from the body portion and disposed between the sealing gasket and the mounting cup, said flange constituting a positioning means to locate the gasket with respect to the said side opening.

3. A valve construction as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the body portion has an additional opening in its side wall, which opening is also only partially closed by the resilient sealing gasket to constitute with the gasket a non-tight check valve means enabling pressure filling of the container to be efiected, said openings being disposed at the inner periphery of the sealing gasket.

4. In an aerosol dispensing device, in combination:

(a) a valve housing having a tubular body portion and an annular external mounting flange on its upper portion,

(b) a valve stem reciprocable in the valve body portion,

(0) a container for aerosol substance, said container having an opening and a rim surrounding the same,

(d) a mounting cup surrounding the body portion of the valve housing and the opening of the container, said cup being adapted to secure the housing to the rim portion of the container,

(e) a resilient flat annular sealing gasket disposed around and engaged with said tubular body portion and located below the mounting flange and between the latter and the container rim to seal the body to the container,

(7) valve means connected with the valve stem and valve housing and located adjacent the outer end of the latter, for controlling the passage of liquid through the housing,

(g) said tubular body having an opening through its side wall, which is only partially closed by the inner peripheral edge of the resilient sealing gasket whereby said opening and gasket constitute a check valve means to enable pressure-filling of the container through the valve housing to be readily eflected,

(It) said flat annular sealing gasket having its greatest thickness measured radially outward from said inner peripheral edge, and a major portion of the gasket comprising the outer peripheral edge being clamped between the said mounting flange and the container rim and effecting a stiffening of the inner peripheral edge portions of the gasket to render the check valve means more resistant to opening.

5. A dispensing device as in claim 4, wherein:

(a) the body portion has an additional opening in its side wall, which opening is only partially closed by the inner peripheral edge of the resilient gasket whereby said opening and gasket constitute a check valve means to enable pressure filling to be eflected therethrough.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN AEROSOL VALVE CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A VALVE HOUSING HAVING A TUBULAR BODY PORTION, (B) A VALVE STEM RECIPROCABLE IN THE VALVE BODY PORTION, (C) A MOUNTING CUP SURRONDING THE BODY PORTION OF THE VALVE HOUSING AND ADAPTED TO SECURE THE SAME TO THE RIM OF A CONTAINER, (D) A RESILIENT SEALING GASKET DISPOED AROUND AND ENGAGED WITH THE SAID TUBULAR BODY PORTION AND LOCATED IN A POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONTAINER RIM TO SEAL AGAINST THE LATTER, (E) VALVE MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE VALVE STEM AND VALVE HOUSING AND LOCATED ADJACENT THE OUTER END OF THE LATTER, FOR CONTROLLING THE PASSAGE OF LIQUID THROUGH THE HOUSING, (F) SAID TUBULAR BODY HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH ITS SIDE WALL, WHICH IS ONLY PARTIALLY CLOSED BY THE RESILIENT SEALING GASKET WHEREBY SAID OPENING AND GASKET CONSTITUTE A NON-TIGHT CHECK VALVE MEANS TO ENABLE PRESSURE-FILLING OF THE CONTAINER THROUGH THE VALVE HOUSING TO BE READILY EFFECTED, (G) AN ADDITIONAL VALVE MEANS AT THE LOWER END OF THE VALVE HOUSING AND CONNECTED WITH THE VALVE STEM AND HOUSING, SAID ADDITIONAL VALVE MEANS CONSTITUTING A METERING VALVE TO CLOSE THE HOUSING FROM THE CONTAINER INTERIOR WHEN THE STEM IS DEPRESSED. 